Sunday, February 24, 2008

Interesting Rocks

I have really strayed a bit from the American history trivia I so love. So much going on in my personal life and with all the distractions of certain errant BLOGers it has been easy to fall behind. Our counrty is so full of rich history and I fear todays generations are letting so much of it slip past them. I truely hope some of these posts may spark some interest in our past.

I took this picture while on vacation a year or so ago. This rock formation holds quite a story in our history. Anyone care to guess where this can be found and it's significance?

Devil's Den.On the second day of Gettysburg, Sickles had moved his men out front, into the Wheat Field and Peach Orchard, leaving the far left flank of the Union line unsecure and with holes. The geography of this flank is Devil's Den and Little and Big Round Top. these heights are at the southern most position of the Union army and would allow for effective artillery fire to cover both Emmittsburg and Taneytown roads. If the Army of Northern Virginia were to advance and hold these positions, the Union army would be cut off from the south, allowing a battle to take place with the ANV between the Union and Washington, and a more decisive rather than strategic victory. Had Lee listened to Longstreet and Hood and allowed them to advance as they saw it the outcome would have been different. Sykes would not have been able to secure Little Round Top.

Devil's Den was held by Brigadier General Ward's brigade and artillery of the 4th New York Battery. ANV forces attacking Ward were 1st Texas and 15th Georgia.

There is irony abut this spot, in that Sickles moved his men, leaving gaps in the line, without telling his superiors. Had Hood ignored Longstreet and Lee and pressed south to the Round Tops, the outcome would be very different. One general ignoring communication, another following it despite what he knows to be better.

Some readings I have, speculate that had Jackson still been alive, he would have urged Lee to allow Hood and Longstreet to take the advantage and secure both Round Tops, or he would have been near Culps Hill, as most historians suggest, and would have forced marched his men on the second day, to meet Hood at Taneytown Road, cutting off Sedgewick and surrounding the Union army.

Dal-pups

contact me at dalpuppy2000@yahoo.com

New to the BLOG world

Just wanted to get in the blogging world of fun. As the title says this is my soapbox. I'll be happy to share with anyone about issues in and around Salisbury. Say anything you like about anything or anyone but keep the language clean and refrain from name calling. I reserve the right to edit any comments made here.